Spicy Tomato Jam

A spicy jam made with fresh tomatoes that caramelize from the sugars, the freshness of lime and some welcome spice from jalapeno peppers

This is one of those recipes that you make and say “where have you been all my life??”

Once you cook down these few simple ingredients, you’ll understand what I mean

I found myself yet again at the farm market in awe of the abundance of fresh produce. Standing in front of the tomatoes a voice in my head said…

“Make tomato jam. Make a spicy tomato jam”. Who am I to argue with myself??

Let’s get started

Chop about 1 1/2 quarts of fresh tomatoes (leaving seeds and skins) into 1″ chunks

Zest and juice one fresh lime, chop 2 jalapenos into a small dice and measure out 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon each of fresh ginger, kosher salt and black pepper

Place all of ingredients into a saucepan over medium heat

Stir to combine and bring the tomato mixture to a boil

Meanwhile, let’s get our bouquet garni together

Fun fact… Bouquet garni means “garnished bouquet” in French. I’ll add that to the 6 other French words I know

In cooking, it’s simply a bundle of herbs & aromatics tied together with butcher string

Packaging the herbs in cheesecloth makes it super easy to remove when you’re done

In a square of cheesecloth, place a stick of cinnamon, star anise, 1/2 teaspoon of coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns and 1 whole bay leaf

Tie up your little flavor present and gently press down into your bubbling tomato mixture

Lower the heat and simmer for about an hour until the tomato mixture thickens Remove the bouquet garni and re-season with kosher salt and pepper if necessary

If canning, place in your sterilized jars immediately and follow the canning procedure of your choice

Serve this Spicy Tomato Jam at room temperature spread on crackers, a baguette or whatever else floats your boat

However you choose to eat it, we’re sure you’re gonna love it!

Enjoy!

Simply Sundays! ~ Spicy Tomato Jam

Servings: Yields 1 quart
Time: 10 minutes prep, 1 hour cook
Difficulty: Easy
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Ingredients

1 1/2 quarts of fresh tomatoes

Zest and juice of one fresh lime

2 jalapenos

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon black pepper

Bouquet Garni:

Cheesecloth & butcher string

1 cinnamon stick

1 star anise

1/2 teaspoon of coriander seeds

1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns

1 whole bay leaf

Directions

Cut 1 1/2 quarts of fresh tomatoes (leaving seeds and skins) into 1″ chunks

Zest and juice one fresh lime, chop 2 jalapenos into a small dice and measure out 2 cups sugar, 1 tablespoon each of freshly grated ginger, kosher salt and black pepper

Place all of ingredients into a saucepan over medium heat

Stir to combine and bring the tomato mixture to a boil

In a square of cheesecloth, place a stick of cinnamon, star anise, 1/2 teaspoon of coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon of black peppercorns and 1 whole bay leaf

Tie up and gently press down into your bubbling tomato mixture

Lower the heat and simmer for about an hour until the tomato mixture thickens; remove the bouquet garni and re-season with kosher salt and pepper if necessary

Tools used to make this recipe

Pure Acres Farm 100% Unbleached Cheese Cloth, 18 Sq Feet

Regency Natural Cooking Twine 1/2 Cone 100% Cotton 500ft

Spicy World Star Anise 3 Ounce

Simply Organic Cinnamon Sticks, 1.13 Ounce

Simply Organic Bay Leaf Certified Organic, 0.14-Ounce Container

Spicely Organic Coriander Seeds Whole – Glass Jar – Gluten Free – NON GMO – Vegan – Kosher

Anchor Hocking 2 Quart Glass Batter Bowl With Lid

Pyrex Prepware 2-Cup Glass Measuring Cup